Special Interests
The River Trails Park District offers numerous activities for youth and teens! Check out our current special interest class and Parkour Programs. Youth also enjoy our summer camps, dance and athletic programming.
Rockin’ Guitars
Learn to rock on the guitar! We cover the basics: chords, scales, rhythm and songs. Have your own guitar? Bring it! If not, we’ll supply one. Chad Berardi currently rocks Chicago with his own band, has been playing for 25 years and teaching for 14 years. 6 classes per session. No class 3/26. Min 4/Max 8.
| Age | Location | Day | Time | Date | Fee per session |
| 7-14 yrs | Weiss Community Center | Tuesdays | 4:30-5 pm | Jan 15-Feb 19 & Feb 26-Apr 9 & Apr 23-May 28 | $77R/$92N |
Young Magicians – One Day Program
Join us for a fun night of magic and mystery! Magic tricks will be taught that include cards, coins, ropes, and much more! You will discover that the tricks are quick to learn and easy to perform. All materials are provided on site. Each child will receive a magic kit to take home at the end of class. Participants are grouped by age and learn age-appropriate tricks. New tricks are taught at each session, so sign up again and again.
Contracted by the Magic of Gary Kantor.
| Age | Location | Day | Time | Date | Fee |
| 5-12 yrs | Arlington Heights Park District | Tu | 6:30-7:25 pm | Jan 22 | $25 |
| 5-12 yrs | Arlington Heights Park District | W | 5-5:55 pm | Mar 6 | $25 |
| 5-12 yrs | Arlington Heights Park District | W | 6:30 – 7:25 pm | May 14 | $25 |
Root Beer Stand Entrepreneur – One Day Program
Whether your child is an entrepreneurial or not, they will love this 90-minute unique spring adventure on how to become a ROOT BEER STAND ENTREPRENEUR. In a group setting, children will be
mentored and motivated as they create a partial business plan and then act out running their own mock ROOT BEER STAND.
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Weiss Community Center
Th 6 – 7:30 pm
May 16
$39R/$42N
Making News
Be the on-air reporter or producer of a news, weather, sports or cooking show! You and your crew devise the format, write the script, record video clips and add special effects. You and your friends might be the next TV sensation! No class 3/27.
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: The Zone
W 6 – 7:15 pm
Mar 20 – Apr 17
$81R/$91N
Lights, Camera… Star Wars
Do you want to be the next George Lucas? We will create our very own Star Wars movie using special digital movie making cameras and software. We will use graphic editing techniques and stop motion animation, add background noise and music. All students will get a copy of their movie, after class is complete.
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: The Zone
W 6 – 7:15pm
Jan 23 – Feb 13
$81R/$91N
CEO Critical Thinking Lab – One Day Program
Critical thinking is an essential executive function to foster in children to help them make decisions independently with confidence. Being able to identify a problem and evaluate when something is right of wrong is one of the best gifts you can offer your child. Through motivating dramatizations and games like toothpaste corner, CEO corner office, cotton candy catastrophe, and the case of the ballon boquet robber, children will learn how to problem solve using many methods. This class offers to boost self-esteem, communication and group dynamic skills.
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Weiss Community Center
Sa 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Feb 2
$23R/$27N
Valen-Slime-A Slimeology Lab – One Day Program
Have the slime of your life making Valentine’s Day themed slime! Customize your slime in the concoction center to smell like gourmet chocolates, fresh cut roses, or chocolate covered strawberries. Bonus: Themed snack served and the kids take their slime home.
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Weiss Community Center
Sa 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Feb 2
$23R/$27N
Chess Scholars –After School Chess Club
Develop your child’s intellect through the royal game of chess! No previous knowledge of chess is necessary. Each class will consist of a fun interactive teaching period and guided practice time. Both beginner and experienced players are welcome and will get to the next level under the guidance of an experienced Chess Scholars coach. There will also be a chess competition with prizes at the end of the session. Activity bus will be available after class. No class 3/27 & 3/28.
Grade: K – 5
Location: Indian Grove School
W 3:30 – 4:15pm
Jan 16 – Feb 20
Feb 27 – Apr 10
$103R/$123N 6 classes
Grade: K – 5
Location: Euclid School
Th 3:30 – 4:15pm
Jan 17 – Feb 21
Feb 28 – Apr 11
$103R/$123N 6 classes
Smart Start Art
Explore your artistic side with the Smart Art Program from Afterschool Enrichment Solutions. Discover your creativity and imagination as an artist, develop fine-motor skills, style, and vision as we explore different artistic techniques through a variety of inspiring projects and play fun, exciting games. Sketch and draw, shade and color, cut, glue, fold… Create! No experience necessary. Activity bus will be available after class.
Grade: K – 3
Location: Euclid School
W 3:30 – 4:15pm
Apr 24 – May 29
$103R/$123N 6 classes
Grade: K – 3
Location: Indian Grove School
Th 3:30 – 4:15pm
Apr 25 – May 30
Hamilton Is My Jam
A weekly musical theatre workshop culminating in a showcase featuring excerpts from the Broadway smash hit Hamilton! Students will learn the basics of vocal technique, choreography, and acting while working together to produce an in class performance for the family and friends. This class is a great way for young artists to develop their talents, foster self-confidence, and grow in social skills and team building.
Grade: 1 – 7
Location: Weiss Community Center
Sa 10am – 12 pm
Jan 26 – Mar 2
$140R/$160N 6 classes
Cinderella Goes Disco
A weekly musical theatre workshop culminating in a showcase featuring excerpts from the Broadway smash hits Cinderella and Mamma Mia! Students will learn the basics of vocal technique,
choreography, and acting while working together to produce an in class performance for the family and friends. This class is a great way for young artists to develop their talents, foster
self-confidence, and grow in social skills and team building. No class 3/25.
Grade: K – 5
Location: Indian Grove School
M 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Feb 25 – Apr 8
$93R/$111N
Teen Beach Movie
A weekly musical theatre workshop culminating in a showcase featuring excerpts from the Disney musical Teen Beach Movie. Students will learn the basics of vocal technique, choreography,
and acting while working together to produce an in class performance for the family and friends. This class is a great way for young artists to develop their talents, foster self-confidence,
and grow in social skills and team building. In class showcase on the last day of class! No class 5/25.
Grade: 3 – 7
Location: Weiss Community Center
Sa 10am – 12pm
Apr 20 – Jun 8
$140R/$160N 6 classes